California's Mormon Community At Risk Of Division Over Proposition 8

It was only a few months ago in June in which same-sex marriages were legalized in California. However, there are still people that want to see same-sex marriages banned in the state. Therefore, there is the major Proposition 8 campaign taking place this year. Proponents and opponents of Proposition 8 have poured in big amounts of money into this campaign.

As a result, Proposition 8 is one of California’s costliest campaigns. However, there is another cost. This one is more on a social and community level. While the Mormon Church is expressing its vocal support for Proposition 8, it is at a very big risk of an internal division.

It could be a division that will be hard to recover from. So far there are Mormons that oppose Proposition 8. However, they are sad, frustrated, and scared about hearing another sermon about same-sex marriage.

Carol Oldham is one of those Mormons. She has been a Mormon for a very long time. However, she is uneasy with the zeal of her church in its support for Proposition 8. So far, it seems that the glare from people in the church at the rainbow pin she wears is getting to her.

Oldham said: “I am afraid to go there and hear people say mean things about gay people. I am mourning. I don’t know how long I can last.”

So far, the LDS Church has been very active in its support of Proposition 8. To defeat Proposition 8, the LDS Church is not pulling any punches. However, there is still the cost of an internal rift within California’s Mormon community.

There are those that disagree with the campaign and have fears that they are unwelcome. Some have decided to lay low after Election Day. The feelings of uneasiness are not just limited to those against Proposition 8.

There are supporters of Proposition 8 concerned about the zeal put forth.

According to Armand Mauss, a sociologist and a supporter of Proposition 8, he said that the internal damage will be great. Mauss explains that relationships will be damaged between the members. He adds that the damage will go a long way.

Mauss said: “In some cases, it will result in disaffection and disaffiliation from the church because of the ways in which their dissent has been handled by local leaders.”

So far, the Mormon community of California may have to brace itself for damage before, during, and after Election Day. For those that feel they cannot publicly express their opposition to Proposition 8, there are websites that have emerged that allow participants to tell their stories online.

One such website is Mormonsformarriage.org.

Not only is the Proposition 8 campaign one of the costliest, it is one of the most tense and heated. On a side note, it was a bit over two week ago that Connecticut had legalized gay marriage.